Aphibarnrat leads golf's Malaysian Open

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 23 (UPI) -- Kiradech Aphibarnrat has a one-stroke lead at the European Tour's Maybank Malaysian Open, which was reduced to 54 holes due to inclement weather.

Rain affected play each day of the tournament and Aphibarnrat, the leader after the second round was completed Saturday, played just two third-round holes before play was again stopped.

A large storm Saturday afternoon led organizers to suspend play for the day and reduce the tournament, scheduled for 72 holes, to 54 holes.

Aphibarnrat had a birdie and a bogey in his only third-round holes and is at 11-under par for the tournament. He's one stroke up on Charl Schwartzel, who also birdied the first hole in the third round.

There's a crowd of seven players, including Padraig Harrington, lurking at 9-under. Andres Hansen pulled into contention by going 4-under through eight holes of the third round. Harrington had completed four third-round holes at 2-under.

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